Obama Pal Indicted On Federal Corruption Charges

All the President's Men

That shining exemplar of Chicago machine politics, Rod Blagojevich.

Obama was too busy kissing Saudi royal ass to comment.

Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and five others were indicted Thursday on charges of scheming to auction off President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, pressuring a congressman for campaign money and lying to FBI agents. The 19-count indictment alleges Blagojevich and his aides discussed the possibility he could get a Cabinet post in the new president's administration, substantial fundraising assistance or a high-paying job in exchange for the Senate seat.

Obama's Deputy Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, said the White House would not comment.

Yeah, probably too busy catching up on his basketball picks.

Also swept up were Blago's brother and four others. I'm sure Obama has no connection whatsoever to them. Except for his close connections to them.

The sweeping indictment comes four months after Blagojevich was arrested and charged with engaging in pay-to-play politics in a major federal complaint that accused him of trading state jobs, contracts and regulatory favors for campaign contributions.

The criminal complaint charged Blagojevich with attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama and seeking the firing of Tribune editorial writers in return for state help on the sale of Wrigley Field. The ballpark and newspaper are owned by Tribune Co.

While those allegations are repeated in today's charges, the 19-count indictment also includes allegations that convicted insider Antoin "Tony" Rezko steered real estate commissions to former first lady Patti Blagojevich despite her performing no work and paid cash to Monk for a car and home improvements. The indictment claims Blagojevich attempted to extort a U.S. congressman for campaign cash by withholding a $2 million state grant to a public school in the congressman's district.

All told, the ex-governor faces 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and lying to federal agents. The government is seeking forfeiture of $188,370 from Blagojevich and will try to take his Ravenswood Manor home if needed.

Rezko, of course, helped Obama buy his house, but the media is curiously uninterested in him.

Try not to laugh while reading this.

Gov. Pat Quinn offered his reaction at a quick news conference after stepping off a plane at O'Hare International Airport.

"This is a very sad day for the people of our state the people of Illinois are entitled to honest government all the time, the charges today are very, very serious. The defendants are entitled to their day in court, we believe in that in America. The people of Illinois are entitled to honest government that works for them 24 hours a day every day, that's what I'm committed to, that's why I was sworn in, I think, 9 weeks ago," Quinn said.

Beck Holds Blago's Feet to the Fire (VIDEO)

Today on Glenn Beck's show, Blago continued his magical mystery media tour, and unlike his other appearances, the interviewer this time (Glenn) actually didn't lob softballs at him. Tomorrow is part 2 of Glenn's interview, so we'll post that one then.



Here are my two favorite screen caps.





I love Beck's honest facial expressions. Priceless!

All in the Family: Mrs. Blago Gets a Cushy Job

The deal making in Chicago just keeps on keeping on. Patti Blagojevich has herself a job, care of a business associate of Roland Burris.

Her job? Raise money to repay a state-backed deal.

"Why did the Chicago Christian Industrial League hire Patti Blagojevich?

“Who better than the first lady of Illinois?’’ said Judy McIntyre, the charity’s former executive director, who hired the governor’s wife five months ago. “Here’s someone whose name would be immediately recognizable and would open doors.’’

The charity needed money to repay a $10.8 million it obtained from ShoreBank with help from the Illinois Finance Authority — a state agency created by Blagojevich’s husband — to build a $25 million homeless shelter.

“Everyone knew we were looking for someone to raise money because of the debt,’’ McIntyre said. “They only raise about $1 million a year, they need to raise $2 million.’’

Blagojevich is paid $100,000 under a one-year contract that began Sept. 1.

$100,000 for a year's worth of making a few phone calls and putting the arm on some rich people? Nice work if you can get it. So how did this part-time real estate agent get such a prime assignment?

Gery Chico, who was another potential Senate candidate, said he helped Blagojevich get the job. But Chico said he wasn’t trying to sway the governor to appoint him to the Senate seat he tried to win four years ago, when he lost to Obama in the Democratic primary.

“Her husband had mentioned that she needed work,” Chico said. “I talked to her. I had to know what she was thinking about. She said she was very interested in children’s issues and women’s issues as well. I thought it would be a good fit.’’

Chico said he asked McIntyre to interview Blagojevich. McIntyre had worked at City Hall when Chico was Mayor Daley’s chief of staff.

After consulting with Good, McIntyre said she hired Blagojevich. She said she didn’t need — or seek — approval from the entire board, whose members include Fred Lebed. Lebed runs a lobbying firm with Roland Burris, whom the governor appointed to Obama’s Senate seat. Lebed has said he had nothing to do with Blagojevich getting hired.

All in the family, indeed.

One Nasty Blagoje-bitch

Is it just me or does this behavior sound awfully familiar?

The wife of Illinois scandal Gov. Rod Blagojevich is a foul-mouthed first lady who supported her husband's schemes, sat in on meetings and conference calls, and cussed out his political enemies.

Sound a lot like the current nominee for Secretary of State.

Just saying.